Table of Contents
Introduction 11
Part I Getting Started with Cayenne and Cocoa 17
Meet Cayenne 19
Meet Cocoa 26
Part II Clever Ways to Use Cayenne and Cocoa at Home 37
Delicious Recipes 39
Appetizers, Snacks, and Sips
Buffalo Wings 40
Roasted Cauliflower with Catalan-Style Cocoa-Almond Picada 44
Roasted Almonds with Cocoa and Sea Salt 46
Cocoa-Matcha Popcorn 48
Spicy Cheese Crisps 50
Smoky Pumpkin Soup 53
Cocoa and Cayenne Spiced Snack Mix 55
Crostini with Goat Cheese and Cocoa Nibs 58
Sweet and Spicy Candied Bacon 60
Cocoa Blueberry Smoothie 62
Classic Bloody Mary 65
Red Wine Hot Cocoa 67
Chocolate Liqueur 70
Cocoa and Cayenne Bitters 72
Truly Spiced Cider, With or Without Booze 74
Spicy Pomegranate Ice Cubes 76
Mains
Weeknight Chicken Mole 78
Nashville Hot Chicken 81
Cocoa Molasses Turkey Tenderloin 84
Smoky Espresso and Cocoa Rubbed Steak 86
Oven-Baked Cinnamon, Ginger, and Cocoa Rubbed Baby Back Ribs 88
French-Style Beef Stew 91
Louisiana-Inspired Jambalaya 95
Shrimp Salad 98
Bouillabaisse 100
Vegetarian Black Bean Chili 104
Chocolate Pasta with Brown Butter, Pears, and Hazelnuts 106
Dressing, Drizzles, Spreads, and Sauces
Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce 110
Cocoa Chipotle Salsa 112
Spicy Beer Cheese 114
Homemade Tabasco-Style Hot Sauce 116
Creole Sauce 118
Cocoa-Laced Dukkah 120
All-Purpose Cayenne Marinade 122
Cocoa Hazelnut Spread 124
Spicy Peanut Sauce 126
Cocoa Vinaigrette 128
Baked and Sweet Things
Chocolate Bread 129
Simplest Cocoa Brownies 133
Not-Too-Sweet Chocolate Biscotti 135
Mexican Hot Chocolate Shortbread 138
Spicy Chocolate Cake with Mocha Buttercream 140
DIY Hot Cocoa Mix 5 Ways 143
Better-than-Store-Bought Chocolate Syrup 146
Homemade Chocolate Chews (a.k.a. Tootsie Roll-Knockoffs) 148
Rich Chocolate Tofu Pudding 150
Spicy Nut Brittle 152
Cinnamon-Cayenne Ice Cream 154
Spicy Mango Ice Pops 156
Cheater's Homemade Chocolate from Cacao Nibs 158
Healing Treatments 161
Magical Morning Tonic 162
Immune Supporting Tonic 163
Rejuvenating Elixir 166
Memory and Brain Enhancing Cocoa 169
PMS Reducing Smoothie 171
Mood Enhancing Brew 172
Back Soothing Balm 174
Sore Muscle Rub 176
Warming Relief for Cold Feet 179
Cluster Headache Relief 180
Relief for Nasal Congestion 182
Sore Throat Gargle 185
Cocoa and Orange Cough Drops 186
Digestive Aid 188
Constipation Reliever 190
Metabolism Booster 192
Healing Treatment for Cuts and Wounds 194
Toothache Relief 196
Poison Ivy Remedy 197
Eczema Treatment 198
Skin Smoothing Beauty Shot 200
Beauty Secrets 203
Moisturizing Chocolate-Coconut Face Mask 204
Acne-Fighting Avocado Face Mask 206
Cocoa Butter Eye Cream 208
Cocoa Body Scrub 210
Cocoa Mint Soap 212
Cocoa Body Butter 214
After-Sun Moisturizer 216
DIY Bronzing Lotion 218
Natural Color-Depositing Conditioner for Brunettes 220
Dry Shampoo 222
Shine Boosting Hair Mask 224
Hot Cocoa Bath Soak 225
Plumping Lip Stain 226
Lip Balm 228
Around the Home 231
Cocoa Candles 233
Prevention for Boat Barnacles 235
Spoon Butter 236
Homemade Chocolate Playdough 238
Chicken Treats 240
Garden Pest Repellent 242
Squirrel Repellent for Bird Feeders 244
Cocoa Mulch 101 246
Deer Deterrent 248
Acknowledgments 249
Credits 250
Index 251